Landmark rubbish mound now fit for a 'firestarter's party'

This picture taken at Kendricks Roads, Darlaston, shows the extent of fly-tipping at the site.

Fly-tippers have now created a mountain of rubbish that includes mattresses, bath tubs, sinks, furniture and fridges.

Councillor Doug James, who represents the area, expressed fears the 'eyesore' would put off prospective businesses coming to the town.

He also said the rubbish dump could also hamper any chances of opening a railway station on the site, as well as attract arsonists.

He said: "A public eyesore on Kendricks Road just keeps growing.

"It is easily recognised from James Bridge and it is now the talk of the town and a landmark for motorists.

"We all hear about partnership working and tougher action on criminals but that is only for the glossy brochures and council reports in Darlaston.

"Weeks after reporting the problem it has increased and the threat worsened.

"Potentially, this may be a site for the future Darlaston Railway Station if the surveyors ever find it again under the garbage.

"What business will Walsall Council attract to the Darlaston Enterprise Zone with this eyesore for all to see?"

As well as dragging the reputation of the area down, Councillor James also believes the mass of rubbish could be a fire risk.

"I expect to hear of a huge fire in Kendricks Road very soon, sadly, placing fire service staff at risk," he said.

"This mess is a firestarter's party night."

Earlier this year, the Express & Star revealed the scale of fly-tipping in the area with more than 30,000 incidents reported to councils in the Black Country, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Birmingham last year, a 16per cent rise on 2012/13 figures.

They cost the authorities £1.8 million to remove the dumped waste.

Walsall was exposed as one of the worst-hit areas with 4,599 incidents costing the council more than £350,000 to clear-up – more than anywhere else in Staffordshire and the Black Country.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said part of the problem was that travellers were dumping waste on an 'industrial scale'.

While the force boss also said a minority of incidents were the work of organised criminals.

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson called for tougher sanctions. He said judges needed to develop a 'backbone' and dish out five-figure fines rather than sums of a few hundred pounds.